Best Of Chicago

Best Chicago Beer Trips

Beer. Oh, how I wish I could ramble on about beer. I wouldn’t even know where to begin if you asked me about the brewing process or acidity, or what differentiates one fancy beer from another—all in due time I guess. I think Benjamin Franklin said it best, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Call it intuition, or a sixth sense maybe, but I at least know a good beer when I taste one. There is one thing I definitely know for sure—Chicagoans love their booze and we have some amazing, award-winning local beer.

Chicago is a lovely town, but sometimes you just need to get the heck out of here. Why not take a beer trip, tour a brewery, chat with a brewmaster, and bring home some great craft beer? Sounds good to me.

Crown Brewing Company

The “Special Forces” IPA is a must try and get this, the Crown Point Jail that John Dillinger escaped from in 1934 is right next door. Tours of the brewery are free by request—usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 11am-3pm.

Tours at the Old Sheriff’s House and Jail run Saturdays 9am-1pm or Thursdays 6pm-8pm $5

New Glarus Brewing Company

Don’t have the dough to head to Switzerland? Welcome to the Promised Land folks—where Spotted Cow flows freely and rolling hills guide you through cheese-head paradise. “Little Switzerland” here you come!

Self guided brewery tours run daily from 10am-4pm

FYI this brewery is very close to the Grumpy Troll—I highly recommend you do both in one day.

The Lucky Monk

Hold onto your robes. This small, 10 barrel brew house will make for a great new holy ground. The Lucky Monk offers private event tours by request. Their menu, ahem, truffled deviled eggs with chili oil, fried pickles, and mouth-watering burgers, will make you undo that belt a few notches. Don’t get full before you try the “Fallen Angel Amber.” It’s superb.

Limestone Brewing Company

Now I’m partial here. LBC is very close to Joliet, my hometown, but I’m telling you, there’s something downright victorious about this spot. The “Flying Pig Imperial IPA” alone is worth the excursion. Who doesn’t love a cold beer in the summer?

Side note: If you are going to drive to Plainfield, you may as well go to Rich & Creamy (920 North Broadway Street-Joliet, IL) and get the best turtle sundae of your life. I’m not kidding. This sundae is magical. Yes, little wizards make these sundaes.

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